Restructuring in Nigeria is something that Rev. (Dr.) Paul Ndeobi, a public analyst and social activist, supports. In this interview with NGOZI UMA, the cleric—who also serves as Senior Pastor of StraightGate International Church—discussed the recent coup in the Niger Republic as well as the response of the ECOWAS, which is headed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Excerpt:
What do you believe to be the driving forces that could cause the military to overthrow a president in a democratic nation, in light of the recent coup in the Niger Republic?
The absence of bold leaders is our continent’s biggest issue. Most of these leaders lack a sense of the future. They do not function as transformative leaders. Africa urgently needs visionary leaders. Vision is the capacity to perceive things, people, and situations in their ideal states rather than just their current ones. Most frequently, African leaders believe that they are beggars, slaves, and inferior to Europeans. They are unable to make a meaningful change with that attitude. The idea that Africans should not be given complete independence is ingrained in the minds of Europeans, you know. They must include Africans in their ambitions to exploit our natural riches. They don’t think the African republics will ever regain their independence. You discover that the African Heads of State who are following these imperialists’ lead will cause their own people to become impoverished. They will be living the high life while the Americans and Europeans benefit from such a regime. Take Equatorial Guinea, for instance, which attained independence in 1968 and possesses a sizable oil resource that was only identified in the 1990s. It ranks as the third-largest oil exporter today. The roads in Malabo, however, remain comparatively undeveloped when I travel there. Although it lacks development, it is Africa’s third-largest oil exporter. What would prevent a coup? These African leaders are typically seen holding onto their positions of authority. A few of them will be serving their third or fourth terms in office. They hold office for 35 years. The Americans and Europeans will keep quiet. The so-called democracy that is intended to benefit the country’s upper classes will only be imposed, though, when the people awaken and decide to control their own fate. This is the main issue facing the West African region at the moment. Even though the Niger Republic has abundant natural resources, it is one of the world’s poorest nations. Africa as a whole is becoming more cognizant of the fact that we cannot remain slaves to these Europeans. We cannot stay in the position of serfs to Americans.
Nigeria and Niger are not far apart. What impact will military involvement approved by the ECOWAS leaders have on Nigeria?
Nigeria will be affected. There are many different nationalities in the African continent. Intermarriage occurs between residents of Nigeria’s northern states and the Niger Republic. They nearly share the same religion, language, and culture, which explains this. You implicitly declare war on what appears to be a portion of Nigeria the instant you declare war on the Niger Republic. You learn that many people traveled from Niger to Nigeria to cast their votes during the election period. I recently watched a video of a man from the Niger Republic pleading with President Bola Tinubu, saying that even though the Niger Republic gave the All Progressives Congress (APC) a resounding victory, he is now attempting to involve the country in conflict with the western powers. Check out the wood-crossing border between Niger and Nigeria. A boundary shouldn’t be constructed in such manner. People are pouring in, as you can see. Consider Nigeria’s overall insecurity situation as well as the North’s. The worst economic situation is in Nigeria. Should we start a war at this time? The cost of three square meals is often prohibitive. Nigeria’s predicament is out of control. Nobody in Nigeria who is thinking rationally would favor war now.
What additional possibilities, outside military action, do you believe the ECOWAS leaders should look into in order to restore democracy in the Niger Republic?
Giving them a deadline of seven days was a mistake by the ECOWAS leaders. That is untrue. You would harden their hearts by giving them a seven-day deadline. Even the Niger population turned out to back the coup. They are poor, which is why this is. They need a change because they are in pain. The ECOWAS did not take action to assist them in determining what they can do to persuade the ruling elite to act justly in the interests of their citizens. Everyone remained silent until the masses took the law into their own hands. By permitting a gradual restoration to democracy through time, they can bring about peace. In a year or two, they might bring back a democratic system of governance that serves the needs of the populace rather than those of white people. Because they are abusing the nation, the world power is interested in Niger. This is wrong, and we need to prevent it across the African continent.
Can it be called democracy if it is practiced in Africa? True democracy is not present. The media is confined. People’s lives are under jeopardy whenever they speak. That’s not democracy, though. Many people accepted the interpretation of Genesis 9:25, which states that Canaan was cursed and would become a servant to his brothers. His grandson, who people mistakenly thought was African, was born to him. They therefore thought that the continent of Africa was cursed. Regardless of who cursed you, the curse will persist if you are participating in that curse. Africa has been cursed with poverty, malnutrition, banditry, crime, and corruption; we must awaken and lift this curse.
They voted in large numbers in support of a bailout because they want to replace the oppressive dictatorship that has caused their plight. They placed all of their hope on the 2023 election, but in the end, they were let down. The judiciary is now under scrutiny, and it cannot be trusted sufficiently. Man must live with hope, therefore when that optimism is destroyed, you start to slowly deteriorate. They believe that military intervention is probably the best option since they don’t have enough faith in the judicial system to do what is right. Given Nigeria’s extreme racial bias, the military is currently experiencing problems. Religion and ethnicity are important elements in Nigeria. The Fulani/Hausa group is the only one that has the potential to lead a successful coup in Nigeria. In that case, it will be the other tribe that attacks with such a fervor. More issues will result from it. Any coup attempt will cause a situation that we might not be able to resolve, which could result in Nigeria’s dissolution. It would do Nigeria absolutely no good.
What do you think the solution is in light of the challenges that have arisen after the 2023 presidential election?
Is it the only exit? Let the legal system handle it properly. If the judiciary renders a sound decision that is acceptable, it might not necessarily be in Peter Obi’s favor, but let it be what they believe to be right so that everyone would understand that the government is a unit and we can start a new cause for Nigeria.
